First tank sent by Canada for Ukrainian forces arrives in Poland

The first of the Leopard 2 tanks Canada is donating to Ukrainian forces has arrived in Poland.

Defence Minister Anita Anand announced the news in a tweet on Sunday, accompanied by a photo of a tank rolling out of the belly of a plane.

“Alongside our allies, we’ll soon be training the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the use of this equipment,” she stated in the tweet. “Canada will continue to #StandWithUkraine.”

Canada pledged at the end of January to send four battle tanks to Ukraine to aid in their continuing battle against Russian forces, which invaded the country nearly a year ago.

The tanks will be accompanied by Canadian Armed Forces members to train Ukrainian soldiers in their use, with the training taking place in a third country before the tanks see battle.

The move came shortly after Germany and the United States announced Jan. 25 they would be organizing the shipment of dozens of Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. In response, Poland called on Germany to allow more countries such as Canada to ship the Leopard 2 tanks, which are German-made, to Ukraine.

Canada may send additional tanks at a later date, according to previous comments made by Anand.

With files from Rachel Aiello